Archive for November, 2010

Now that we’ve established the importance of learning a foreign language, regardless of where you live: South Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, West Virginia, Ohio, Oklahoma, let’s take a look at some resources that will help you learn and practice. Of course, textbooks and word drills are important as you learn, but even more valuable is practice listening and speaking the language. These podcasts will help you hone your listening skills and increase your proficiency in no time!

Audiria offers daily podcasts, which you can search by topic (songs, grammar, culture, books, etc.) or category (short phrases, idioms, vocabulary, tips, etc.). Each podcast includes a text file so that new learners can test their listening and their reading skills (and to double check accurate listening comprehension). Content is organized by difficulty level, and users can also register with the site to track learning. Other useful resources are offered through the site, including a wiki book and associated exercises.

These conversational Spanish podcasts are meant to help those learning the language and those who want to become more fluent. Each podcast is accompanied by a short reading selection — often a bit of fiction or part of an essay. Between the podcasts and the accompanying blog, Eleena also offers reflections on various topics and interviews people of interest. You can also toggle the language on most pages for an English or Spanish text, depending on your level of proficiency.

Choose from three levels of learning — inspired beginners, intermediate, and advanced — and listen to podcasts designed for your needs. There are worksheets available to help you learn the concepts, and podcasts can be listened to on the site or downloaded to your computer or mp3 player. A store and blog are also available on the site, as well as the free 12-page report, “Kick-Start Your Spanish.”

Each of these weekly podcasts is accompanied by a written guide to read along with as you listen. Episodes have fun titles and scenarios, such as “My Ideal Man,” “Chimpanzee Brother,” and “Work Addict.” There are also episodes that cover puzzles, riddles, funny stories, grammar, vocabulary, and more. Listeners can choose to download episodes or listen to them online. The whole site is in Spanish — an added challenge — and there is an accompanying blog.

This multi-faceted podcast is great for both learners and teachers. Learners can listen to it and test their skills, challenging themselves with advanced content. Teachers can learn much from the interviews with educators and other experts, as well as the discussions about Spanish education. Many of the podcasts discuss different tools and instruction methods, such as using technology and social networking for education. The entire site is also in Spanish.

This Spanish survival guide is focused on travelers who want to learn basic conversational Spanish when visiting a Spanish-speaking country. Episodes often focus on a specific situation or need, such as what to say if your car breaks down, phrases for the supermarket, and vocabulary for emergency situations. Podcasts are often accompanied by a list of vocabulary or transcripts. The site includes a blog, and the author has plans to add a video podcast segment and interactive apps through iTunes.

This series of video podcasts help both auditory and visual Spanish learners: users can listen to the lesson and watch host Larry Keim write notes and vocabulary on a white board. Some episodes are very specific (such as a lesson devoted to the word “prestar,” which means “to lend”) or focused around a central point or lesson (such as a lesson on the past subjunctive). Other episodes are more general, covering broader topics such as informal Spanish, conversational Spanish, helpful phrases, and more.

These video podcasts are presented as a parody of a television sitcom. Subtitles are provided, and supporting materials explaining grammar and vocabulary on included on the Web site. There is also a transcript of dialogue.

These Spanish grammar podcasts are available to stream on this site or can be downloaded to your computer or mp3 player for portability and convenience. Only two podcasts are available for free; the rest are only available to premium members. The premium membership costs $9.95 per month, or $39.95 for six months.

Beginner and intermediate learners can find useful podcasts here to help them practice their listening skills. Each podcast is labeled according to difficulty, and each covers a different language lesson, such as using the imperfect subjunctive, future perfect tense, and prepositions and adjectives. You can download podcasts or stream them from the site. There are also many more audio files on the blog, which has weekly lessons that include current events, key vocabulary and commentary.

Students of French can hone their skills by listening to these interviews and discussions of various subjects in French. Some episodes are more specific, and are targeted at vocabulary or pronunciation. Each podcast includes a transcript and translation, and users can search podcasts by category.

Most episodes of this podcast discuss a topic in the news, and are accompanied by a learning guide and transcript. The site includes grammar and vocabulary lessons, as well as supplementary exercises. The podcasts are free, but users must become members of the site to access all the materials.

This inclusive site has several podcasts devoted to learning French: one focused on a word or expression of the day, two for advanced learners, and two for beginners. There are four weekly podcasts, and additional materials such as worksheets are available. Users can sign up to become members for premium content.

4. French LingQ

French LingQ promises that you can “dramatically increase your vocabulary so you’re comfortable and confident in any situation.” Podcasts offer content for all levels of learners and topics include language basics, conversational French, social interactions, greetings, and much more. Transcripts are also available.

These podcasts offer a free online learning course that uses the Manesca method, which teaches formal, literary French. All episodes are free to listen to on the site or to download, but a small donation is requested.

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners can find lessons tailored to their needs in these podcasts, which cost a fee. Each episode includes a guide. Users must become paid members to access content.

This podcast includes 15 lessons aimed at beginning students of French. Episodes include a support sheet for lessons learned in the podcast. The site has not been recently updated with new podcasts, but the archives are still available for beginners starting out at any time.

Techies interested in learning French will love this podcast. Episodes have nothing to do with learning French — they are focused on news and discussions about technology and computers. However, the whole podcast is in French, and for those who are interested in technology AND French, they offer a perfect combination and an interesting way to practice your French listening and comprehension skills.

These weekly podcasts each include transcripts, dialogue, a glossary and a quiz. Users can search by categories such as learning level, “five minutes a day,” culture, and more. Paid members have content to additional premium content.

Users must register for free access to these podcasts, which cover topics such as dialogue, humor, film, and more. The site has a lot of additional content to support your Italian education — much of it premium content that is available for a fee.

Each weekly lesson includes a review of key vocabulary or concepts. Users can directly download podcasts from the site. Also available are the first 100 lessons — either on CD or for download. The archives cost $15 and include all 100 episodes.

Going on a trip to Italy and want to learn how to order from the menu or ask for directions? This podcast can help. You must register in order to access the first 10 lessons, and the remaining lessons are available to members only. A lifetime membership costs $24.99.

This podcast begins with English phrases from American or British commentators (either political figures or those featured on newscasts) and then offers the Italian translation. The translation also offers discussion about the nuances between a literal translation and a more natural translation.

Learn about Italian culture — and practice your listening skills — with this podcast about Italian food and wine. You won’t learn language drills, but you will gain valuable insight into Italian culture and learn from the everyday use of the language.

“Pukka,” as defined here, means “genuine, authentic, top notch, the bees knees.” These podcasts promise to teach you “TRUCK LOADS of cool German words and phrases and … HIP to the STREET LINGO that your German teacher was too SQUARE to teach you!” This includes slang, idioms, and common words and phrases. This is a fun, user-friendly site that is sure to rev up your German practice.

Clark Shah-Nelson has been teaching online German since 1999. His video casts offer fun scenarios to teach basic German language and grammar. The site also offers online German courses, for different prices. The courses include additional materials, including transcripts in English and German, quizzes, and discussion forums.

The name says it all. Each podcast includes a German lesson that focuses on basic vocabulary and grammar. Blog posts are also included among the podcasts, and they are often in German, adding a reading comprehension component to your learning. There are also occasional video podcasts, transcripts, and language exercises.

Podcast host Laura aims to teach German learners what eluded her proper understanding of the language for so long until she mastered it: Grammar. In addition to podcasts on standards such as adjectives and pronouns, there are also tips and tricks. Each podcast is accompanied by an explanatory blog post that highlights some of the main points.

5. Young Germany Podcasts

The Young Germany Podcast includes a “starter kit” with some of the most important German phrases for beginners, as well as a variety of listening and speaking exercises for more advanced German learners.

6. German LingQ

Here’s another great podcast from LingQ — this one focusing on German lessons for all levels of learners. Transcripts are also available for each episode. Users must sign up for a free account to access the materials on the site.

For true beginners, this podcast offers slow-paced lessons that are meant to be easier to hear and understand. Additional materials are available — for a fee — that include important words and translations and multiple-choice tests. The site is entirely in German, so the beginners that is hopes to attract will likely need to use a site like Babelfish to navigate it.

This site offers theme-based, progressive lessons, which host Serge promises “means that you can start from ‘zero’ level and after completing this course, you will be able to speak fluent Mandarin Chinese on the variety of topics.” Each lesson builds on the one before it. There are also transcripts and worksheets, but users must subscribe to access them.

Formerly the Learning Mandarin Podcast, this site offers several topical episodes that discuss news, health, science, and other issues as a means of strengthening Mandarin skills. Users have the option to have transcripts mailed to them for a monthly fee of $1.99. There are also links to useful resources.

Each episode is labeled according to the level of learner, and there is a short narrative attached to each episode. Podcasts are topical and feature discussions rather than lessons. Users must sign up for an account to gain access to the site, including additional learning materials such as flash cards and charts. An account is free.

These beginning Chinese lessons cover basic vocabulary and simple concepts such as pronouns, use of the possessive, and rules for asking questions. All of the podcasts and transcripts are available to download for free. There are also links to lots of useful resources for learning the language and the Chinese characters.

5. World Languages Podcasting

These podcasts offer up conversations in Chinese about Australian culture. Practice your Chinese and learn about Australian culture at the same time! Transcripts are available for each episode, but they cost $1.99 to access

There are dozens of conversational Chinese podcasts available here. Episodes are topical, and each is labeled with key words, functions, and learning level. The site also offers demos, a variety of more advanced courses, and training for business settings.

These podcasts offer beginner, intermediate and advanced Chinese lesson plans. Episodes focus on useful, everyday Chinese, such as how to order dishes in a restaurant, or how to talk to members of the opposite sex. The site includes much more learning material that is available for a membership fee, but the podcasts and their transcripts are available for free.

There are sections here on language learning, pinyin (Chinese characters), culture and games. You have to sign up for a free account to access most content. Lessons can even be translated into English, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

Native Japanese speakers record these podcasts, which focus on everyday, conversational Japanese. Topics include ordering coffee, asking someone on a date, adjectives and color, going to the doctor, and much more. All podcasts and the archives are free, and there is a user forum for further discussion.

These free video podcasts are produced in HD and focus on everyday conversational Japanese. Examples are taken from Anime and popular culture to make the content more relatable. There are also recommendations for other study resources.

NHK World presents these lessons, which focus on important phrase and vocabulary through the use of conversation and scenario. There are also useful resources provided to support your language learning.

There are podcasts included amongst extensive blog posts, all related to learning Japanese. Lessons focus on specific vocabulary and grammar rules, as well as situational phrases and language. The site is easy to navigate with an extensive sidebar of categories so that you may find the lesson that most suits your current needs.

Beginning and conversational phrases are the focus of these podcasts, which include supplemental show notes highlighting important concepts. The site has not been updated in some time, but the archives are still available and useful for beginners.

This challenging podcast features natural Japanese speakers talking at a normal speed (read: fast) and using everyday expressions (read: slang). However, there are transcripts available, as well as English translations, so students can check their comprehension.

This blog and podcast focuses more on how to learn Japanese than it does on actually teaching Japanese. Still, students of the language will find much useful information here by way of helpful ideas and resources. There is also a good bit of discussion about Japanese culture, always helpful when learning a new language.

Blog of Cheap Cooking – “First I stayed home with my kids, so our income was cut drastically,” writes Ellen Ferlazzo. “Then we got divorced 13 years ago and I’ve been cooking as a single parent on a tight budget since then…I was inspired to start a cooking blog because I like to play around with recipes and frequently try new ones. My kids would ask me to make something I’d made before and I couldn’t remember what I’d done!” Recommended posts: ”Rosti Casserole with Baked Eggs” and “Carrot and Cilantro Salad with Mandarin Oranges.”

Burp! Where Food Happens – “In 2007, my husband and I started the Burp! blog as a way to keep track of our recipes and record our thoughts about the foods we were eating,” explains Lori Fredrich. “Our core beliefs revolve around the creation of real food that nourishes both the body and the soul. So, we focus on cooking with local, sustainably raised, and organic food whenever possible…We also believe in cooking real food. Whole food. Food that some might call ‘inconvenient.’ We believe that every good thing takes effort, and we’ve embraced the notion that ‘slow food’ is the best food. If I had to boil everything down to one goal for the blog it would probably be: showing people that local eating is really possible in Wisconsin, regardless of budget…and that it really pays to focus on food and nourishment as a community building tool.” Recommended posts: “Lamb Burgers with Figs, Caramelized Onions & Blue Cheese” and “Making the Most of the Local Harvest: Bourbon Caramel Peach Cobbler.”

Cheap Eats- “Cheap Eats was originally conceived because I actually had to watch how much I spent on food,” writes the Editor. “A lot of people go through a phase like this in college, and the junk food / starving-student lifestyle that powers all-nighters tends to make it somewhat tolerable. But for some, the cheap eats mentality extends later into life due to economic or other factors. That’s where I am.” Recommended posts: “Making Homemade Gatorade” and “Home Fried Potatoes.”

Choosy Beggars – “The Choosy Beggars are Tina and Mike, a pair of life-loving amateur chefs and mixologists, just trying to get by on mortal salaries,” write the authors. “…They have dedicated a surprising amount of their time to the pursuit of delicious international cuisine at affordable prices, in the hope that they will rescue you from a life of frozen foods, and perhaps inspire you to culinary adventures of your own.” Recommended posts: ”Chicken Tikka Kebabs” and “Pub Night: Crispy Baked Onion Rings.”

DLYN – This site has a collection of complex yet frugal recipes, with an emphasis on cooking your food from scratch, preferably with locally sourced ingredients when possible. Donalyn will show you how to easily cook delicious food that beats anything you will ever buy premade in the store. There is also a shopping section so users can purchase kitchen tools mentioned in the posts, cookbooks, and photographic equipment via Amazon.com. Recommended posts: “Homemade Apple Sauce” and “Jalapeno Bacon Cornbread.”

In Praise of Leftovers – “This blog is for anyone who’s ever opened the fridge and been overwhelmed by what to do with its contents,” writes Sarah Murphy-Kangas on her blog. “It’s also about making do–seeing what’s around, rescuing ailing vegetables from the brink, taking advantage of simple things like dried beans or grains. And nothing makes me happier than finding a way to use all the random bits in my fridge.” Recommended posts: “Farfalle with Kale, Bacon, and Mint” and “Grilled Steak with Peppers and Chimichurri Sauce.”

The Official Ramen Page – “I do not have a professional background in cooking and I don’t cook that much myself aside from making ramen,” explains Matt Fischer. “I started the blog in college about 14 years ago (although it was not called a blog back then) because everyone in my dorm had some crazy ways to cook ramen and I wanted a place to document them. At the time I was also trying to figure out what to put on my homepage. In 1996, everyone had one and they were all useless, usually a list of bookmarks and a few pictures (if you had a scanner!), I figured that the Internet needed a ramen recipe page and my friends were the inspiration for the recipes.” Recommended posts: “Mama Pork Flavor Ramen” and “Super Spicy Indian Potato Curry Noodles.”

Worth the Whisk – This blogger is a “longtime food pro” who has a passion for cooking “unpretentious [and] mostly frugal” recipes. She is also the winner of several culinary awards, and was the first recipient of the International Association of Culinary Professionals’ (IACP) “Food Communicator/Publicist Award of Excellence.” Recommended posts: “Baked Olives in Cheese Appetizer” and “Simple San Diego Sandwich.”

For the busy/learning student

1001 Recipe – By clicking on one of the recipes on this site, you can read up on its nutritional value, prep time, cook time, as well as level of difficulty. Recommended posts: “Blueberry Muffins” and “Shepherd’s Pie.”

Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice – “My blog is mainly recipes of all kinds,” writes Reeni Marie. “I have lots of baking ideas and dinner recipes…I do try to teach people and give them tips to help them out in the kitchen. I am not a professional and started blogging after a tragic loss in my life. I saw another food blog that inspired me to start my own. It helped me take my mind off the pain.”

Healthy. Delicious. – “I started it as a place to keep track of recipes that I tried and liked when i was trying to lose weight,” writes Lauren Keating, who posts recipes that fall under numerous categories such as ‘Vegetarian’ and ‘Daring Kitchen.’ “As I became more confident in the kitchen, it transformed to to a place for me to share the original recipes that I created.” Recommended posts “Crab & Corn Chowder” and “Pulled Pork Macaroni & Cheese.”

Healthy, Easy Recipes – “I love to cook, [and I] love to try new recipes,” writes Andrea Haddon. “…people are always asking for my recipes and not a lot of my friends cook, so I decided to post them and I got a really good response. It has also helped me to make a log of the things I like to refer to when I meal plan! It’s been really fun!” Andrea also has “Student Friendly” and “Vegetarian” section on her blog, and regularly posts on cleanses and cheap recipes as well. She also describes desserts and baking as her “passion.” Recommended posts: “Beer Can Burritos” and “Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.”

In Erika’s Kitchen – Erika Penzer Kerekes was inspired to start a cooking blog because she got tired of her mother saying ‘When are you going to write a cookbook already?’ “Also, I had virtually no family recipes handed down to me,” she explains, “mostly because my mom is a terrible cook. I did not want my kids to suffer the same fate.” Recommended posts: “Cheater’s chili“ and “Garlic knots, the ultimate comfort food.”

Zesty Cook- “I have been cooking since I was 8 years old with my Mom and have always loved it,” writes Cory. “I cook for my family, family functions and have always had a passion for it. I then wanted to share my passion through blogging and help others realize that cooking can be fun and rewarding.” Recommended posts: ”90 Second Cheesy Chicken Nachos” and “College-Friendly n’ Healthy Snacks.”

Matt Bites – This award-winning blogger is a former graphic designer and art director in the food industry. Two years ago he was invited to make his favorite cookie recipe with Martha Stewart on her daytime television show. Recommended posts: “Vegetable Crumble” and “Do All Cookbooks Need Photos?”

Smitten Kitchen – The recipes on this blog are generally “comfort foods [that are] stepped up a bit,” writes Deb Perelman on her site. “…things like bread and birthday cakes made entirely from scratch and tutorials on everything from how to poach an egg to how to make tart doughs that don’t shrink up on you, but also a favorite side dish (zucchini and almonds) that takes less than five minutes to make.” Recommended posts: “apple and cheddar scones” and “blue cheese and red potato tart.”

Voodoo and Sauce -Heather Arndt Anderson previously worked as a botanist and natural resources consultant, and writes that her “culinary focus is on finding cross-cultural uses for individual ingredients.” Recommended posts: “Roasted Quince” and “Elk Chili.”

David Lebovitz – This blogger has been coined as one of the “Top Five Pastry Chefs in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and has appeared on Gourmet Magazine’s Diary of a Foodie on PBS, the Discovery Channel, NBC’s Today Show, and Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. Some of his posts cover recipes from Ireland, France, and much more. Recommended posts: “Swiss Chard Tart (Tourte de blettes)” and “Plum and Rhubarb Crisp.”

The Urban Baker – “I would describe my blog as a place to go when you want homemade food made with healthy, pantry ready ingredients,” explains Susan Salzman, who started cooking at the age of 7. “My blog is baking/dessert heavy, however in the past 6-8 months I have introduced much more savory dishes. The blog is always evolving and is at a place that I can be proud of…I had a very large, successful children’s furniture business that I had started in 1989 (Little Folk Art, Inc). About 6 years ago, I decided to down size in order to spend more time with my kids…Ultimately, my passion for most things culinary took over. Then my dad passed away. I was devastated. The blog was a cathartic escape in order to deal with my grief. I chronicled our life through our celebrations, my kids milestones and family meals. The kitchen, my camera and my voice became a way for me to show my kids who I really am. For me it has turned into a virtual cookbook, a catalog of my kids childhood, and I have found a community that is like no other!” Recommended posts: “Marie-helen’s Apple Cake” and “Banana Jam.”

Cajun Chef Ryan – “I worked in the restaurant business for 21 years in many capacities, starting with culinary apprentice, sous chef, chef, chief steward, executive chef, sauté cook, food and beverage director, director of food and nutrition services,” explains Ryan Boudreaux. “The initial inspiration to start the Cajun Chef Ryan blog was begun in May of 2008 as a way to document and record my vast collection of documents, procedures, management techniques, restaurant operations, and recipes from 21+ years on the industry. With 300+ cookbooks in my library, binders, notebooks, and boxes of recipes and menus, the initial project was to transfer to digital format all my written documentation. The blog has grown into something more, and has evolved into something totally different that what I imagined in the beginning.” Recommended posts: ”Heavenly Hash Brownie” and “Shrimp, Smoked Sausage, and Grits.”

Food Junkie Not Junk Food - “I started the blog because I really wanted to express my creativity while I was working as an Archaeologist for the Greek Ministry of Culture, a job that was really boring and tedious,” explains Johanna Dimopoulos. “There are many easy recipes for someone just starting to cook…with many Greek recipes and others from all over the world.” Recommended posts: “Pork “gioulbasi”’ and “Mini kebabs with two sauces.”

Indian Simmer – “Living in the US for the past few years I realized that Indian food and cooking is often conceived as complicated, spicy and mostly curry related food,” explains Prerna Singh. “Although in reality is much more than just curry. So that made me present the simple, easy and quick to fix side of Indian food and it also helps me get a platform to present another passion of mine that is photography.” Recommended posts: “A Simple Hindu Pooja Meal” and “Aloo Gobhi (Potato and Cauliflower).”

My Colombian Recipes – “This blog was created in February 2009 and was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook,” writes Erica. “I never saw Mamita cooking from a recipe. She made dinner from whatever ingredients she found in the kitchen. My hope is that people from other countries discover Colombian food and learn more about our culture and traditions. Cooking traditional Colombian food connects me to my culture and allows me to share my heritage with my American family.” Recommended posts: ”Pandebono (Colombian Cheese bread)” and “Chuletas Rellenas de Manzana (Pork Chops Stuffed with Apples).”

Zoom Yummy – “A cooking and photography blog is a wonderful outlet for my creativity,” writes Petra. “I love presenting my recipes, my photography and give others some words of advice. [Blogging] is a great way to find new friends with the same hobbies as yours. Also, when blogging, you need to learn new things all the time. Isn’t that terrific?” Recommended posts: “Farfalle with Tomato and Cheese Sauce” and “Mulled Wine.”

Vegetarian/Specialty diet

BitterSweet- “I love experimenting in the kitchen, and sharing the results makes the experience so much more worthwhile,” explains the site’s author Hannah. “I learn by doing, and also by the feedback I get on the blog.” Recommended posts: “For the Sake of Dessert” and “Party Like It’s 5771.”

Celiac Teen – “Being diagnosed with Celiac Disease forced me to pay attention to what I was eating,” writes 17-year-old Lauren. “As I got healthier on the gluten-free diet, I wanted to share the joy I was finding in food! The blog was a way to do that, and it quickly became a passion.” Recommended posts: “Gluten-Free Pierogi” and “Gluten-Free Orange Cornmeal Muffins.”

Rawmazing – This blogger (Susan Powers) “resolved her health issues” and lost a considerable amount of weight after discovering the nutritional value of raw food. Her website was designed in a way to help readers “transition from the SAD (Standard American Diet) to the healthy, tasty world of raw food.” Recommended posts: “Raw Food Recipe: Spaghetti and “Meat” Balls” and “Raw Food Recipe Almond Flour.”

Simply Sugar and Gluten Free – “Nearly 6 years of living free of refined sugars and gluten has stopped my food cravings enabled me to maintain a 60+ pound weight loss,” writes Amy Green. “With some help, I gained awareness about my food patterns, realizing that I ate all day long. I learned how to plan my food and started eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day with nothing in between.” Recommended posts: “Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies” and “Upgrade Your Carbs!”

Vegan Yum Yum – 25-year-old Lolo recently quit her “day job” to write a cookbook, and since then has appeared as a guest on the Martha Stewart Show. “I do my best to make vegan food tasty and appealing to vegans and non-vegans alike,” writes Lola on her site. “I’m not a chef, I’ve never been to culinary school, and I’m certainly not a professional photographer. I have a lot of fun pretending, though!” Recommended posts: “Chickpea Radish Hors d’Oeuvres” and “Cucumber Tea Sandwiches.”

Healthy eating

101 Cookbooks – “The premise this site was built on is best summed up in two sentences: When you own over 100 cookbooks, it is time to stop buying, and start cooking,” writes Heidi Swanson on her site. “This site chronicles a cookbook collection, one recipe at a time.” Recommended posts: “Green Bean Slaw Recipe” and “Spicy Cauliflower with Sesame Recipe.”

CakeWalk – Rebecca Gagnon classifies her blog as “healthy eating for the learning,” and also focuses on vegetarian and vegan diet recipes. “I decided to start my blog for two reasons,” she explains, “first, I was sending my food photography pics to several friends via email (with descriptions) several times a month, and they would tell me that I should start blog. Second, was that in the month I decided to start the blog, my uncle passed away in his sleep unexpectedly. It seems strange that that should influence me so much, but food was always important to that side of my family (My Mom’s side, of Mexican decent), and he was such a funny funny guy. I felt so sad about losing touch with the parts of my family that I grew up close with, and sad that he was gone at such a young age, partially due to healthy eating concerns and stress, that writing about food helped me feel a bit better about it.” Recommended posts: “Vegan Monday: Spicy Biriyani” and ”The Lahey Project (kinda…): Cauliflower Pizza.”

Deliciously Organic- “Before Carrie could see over counter tops, she learned to cook by following her mother around the kitchen. By the time she was eight, she was preparing complete meals, and as a teen, she worked at her mom’s much-heralded catering company in Dallas, Texas. When health problems led her to try organic, whole foods, she refused to compromise flavor. Not only did her health improve, the flavors did too. If you’ve heard about the promise of organic, whole foods, but need a little nudge to make the switch, Deliciously Organic will help you launch your own food revolution.” Recommended posts: “Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom Ragu” and “Back-to-School Lunch ideas and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies.”

FANNEtastic Food – “I didn’t really get interested in cooking until after college!” explains Anne P. “At first, I relied a lot on frozen meals and dinners out, but I knew that wasn’t the healthiest (or most cost effective) approach. Slowly, I started reading food blogs and cookbooks, picking up tips, and being more adventurous in the kitchen. I was surprised to find that not only was cooking easier than I’d thought, but it was fun, too! As I got more into cooking and healthy eating, I started having friends ask for my recipes – and thus, fANNEtastic food was born! I love writing and photography as well as cooking, so a blog just made perfect sense.” Recommended posts: – “Healthified Recipes” and “Reader’s Health Tips!”

Gina’s Skinny Recipes – “I feature simple healthy recipes using real ingredients that are low in calories and fat,” writes Gina. “…I couldn’t find any good Weight Watcher recipes sites out there when I started counting points and I knew I could improve on what I did find…I try not to sacrifice taste just to get the points down as low as they possibly can go. For me it’s about the balance of good tasting food with healthy ingredients and keeping the points low, but not to the point that I’m hurting the flavor.” Recommended posts: “Spinach Lasagna Rolls” and “Petite Turkey Meatloaves.”

The Kitchen of a Runner – “The words “running foodie” describe me perfectly,” writes Matt on his blog. “Because of my love for running and cooking, I have developed a passion for healthy living…I hope with this blog that I can share my wisdom and love about running, cooking, and living a healthy life!” Recommended posts: “Bangin’ Salmon BLT’s” and “Breakfast Quesadillas.”

What’s Gaby Cooking – “I wanted a place to share my recipes with my friends and family,” explains Gaby Dalkin, a personal chef who is professionally trained in classic French technique. “They we’re always calling to ask different things about different dishes so I wanted a place where they could go and have all the info they needed in one place.” The categories on this blog cover a wide range of recipes such as ‘Bakery’ and ‘Dessert‘ or ‘Gluten Free‘ and ‘Healthy/Figure Friendly.; Recommended post: “Super Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip and a Winner!!”

With a Side of Sneakers – “I was cooking all the time and experimenting in the kitchen to find recipes I loved and kept both me and my husband happy,” explains the site’s author Heather. “Eventually I started recording the recipes on a blog so I could remember them, and repeat my favorites – I was constantly forgetting what I’d made! Looking back at old recipes inspires me when I’m not sure what to make.” Recommended posts: “Sneaky Ingredients” and “Order Up! Homemade Skinny Hazelnut Latte.”

Student bloggers

17 and Baking – This blogger is an 18-year-old journalism student who has a passion for documenting her adventures in the kitchen. “I started 17 and Baking when I was 16 (I like to say I was thinking ahead) after years of following over 40 other food blogs,” writes Elissa on her blog. “I admire everything from the writing to the photography to the recipes themselves and I wanted to be a part of the foodie community.” Recommended posts: “Rainbow Pride Party Cake” and “Soft Pretzels.”

A Chef in Training – “I have been writing this blog for about 2 ½ years,” explains Liz Abu Al-Saoud. “It documents my time in culinary school and now my time apprenticing. I’m going back to school for pastry in January and will continue to write about things.” Recommended posts: “Saturday, March 6, 2010” and “Monday, March 8, 2010.”

Braised Anatomy – “We are both lovers of the food, yet we are both on a pretty strict budget given the high cost of a medical education,” writes medical student Arielle Kanters. “Because of this, we find ourselves cooking at home far more than eating out. Over the past couple years, we’ve found that all this cooking at home has forced us to create some ‘specialty’ dishes that are pretty highly received by our friends and family. This love of cooking, eating and sharing dishes prompted us to begin our food blog. We saw it not only as a way to share our favorite recipes, but also as a means of keeping record of the things we make.” Recommended posts: “Vietnamese Omelets” and “Spicy Mayo.”

Burp and Slurp- “I started my blog Burp and Slurp initially as an eating disorder recovery blog,” writes Sophia Lee, who is currently studying at the University of Southern California. “I suffered from anorexia for about 5 years, and my blog was born during the turning point of my recovery. It was my means of chronicling the ups and downs of my recovery path, to hold myself accountable, to build a strong community of support, and to recover back my love for food and life. And so far, my blog has helped me achieve that all, and more. Now, I would like to think of my blog as a celebration of life, food, and people. Faith plays an essential core in my life (and recovery), so I do talk about my faith at times.” Recommended posts: ”Sexiest Dessert to Impress a Girl” and “A Lab on Beer.”

Christina EATS. – ““I have always enjoyed cooking for and eating with friends and family (or even just myself sometimes) and started this blog to share and exchange ideas with them and fellow bloggers.” writes Christina P. “I am especially interested in ‘cheap eats’ and budget recipes as a student, and also healthy eating/cooking without compromising taste and creativity. I also love food photography and trying out new restaurants in the Boston area and beyond.” Recommended posts: “ricotta and grant achatz. {science & cooking}” and “adventures in science & cooking {cameraphone pic of the day}.”

Diamonds for Dessert – “My interest in baking really didn’t start until the beginning of my freshman year in college,” writes Susan S. “Right when I started baking, I realized that it was a great way to deal with stress from school; there’s really no better form of meditation than kneading bread dough. In addition, I loved how creative baking can be, whether it’s unusual or exotic ingredients used or the way the final dessert is styled. On the other hand, every baking process is also like a science experiment, very precise in measurements, with interesting chemical reactions in each step. Baking was my way of combining my love for art and science. I wanted some way to document my baking projects, so I decided to start a blog. With blogging, I could share my ideas and processes with others all over the world through my photography, drawings, and writing.” Recommended posts: “Glee Cookies!” and “Stained Sunglasses Cookies.”

Evil Shenanigans – “I started Evil Shenanigans as a culinary school diary,” writes Kelly, a part-time culinary student who is currently working towards an AAS in Bakery-Pastry. “My friends started asking for recipes, then they asked for pictures and it has evolved from there…I bill my blog as a ‘recipe blog’ since my primary focus is recipe development.” Recommended posts: “Chocolate Chip Overload Cookies” and “Banana and Chocolate Mascarpone Crepes.”

Lingbo Li – “I had been writing about restaurants for awhile and felt embarrassed that I couldn’t actually, well, make anything,” writes Lingbo Li, who writes about a variety of cheap, healthy, and easy recipes while studying at Harvard College. “Once I got access to a real kitchen, I went to town and experimented with a few cuisines. I like making offbeat things that are extraordinarily easy to make but have a big flavor payoff. Coconut curry is an easy, weeknight favorite. I also like challenging myself – I once threw a dinner party that was almost entirely offal-based. So I cooked up tripe, sweetbreads, pork belly, ox tails, and all kinds of things. There’s still a frozen beef heart in my freezer.” Recommended posts: “How to read a recipe” and “The Beauty Pageant Diet.”

Poires au Chocolat – “I lived in catered accommodation without a kitchen in my first year at university and realized how much I missed cooking and how important it is to me,” writes Emma Gardner. “I started my blog to document my experiments and to interact with the blogging community.” Some of the various ‘sweet eating’ recipes you can find on her blog include cakes, biscuits, cookies, buns, ice creams, sorbets, sweet tarts, and much more. Recommended posts: “Whisky and Dark Chocolate ‘The Beautiful and the Damned’ Cake” and “Amaretti and Raspberry Muffins.”

Small Town Oven – “I had been reading several blogs for awhile and several friends began encouraging me to begin blogging about my experiences in the kitchen,” writes Sharlene Sanidad, a recent college graduate who is currently in medical school. “On a day when I didn’t particularly feel like studying and my boyfriend had made me an adorable omelet with a smiley face made of ketchup, I decided to start Small Town Oven.” Recommended posts: “Blueberry Applesauce Muffins” and “World Peace Cookies.”

The Wild Classroom presents video podcasts that can also be downloaded for classroom use. Scientists and graduate students from around the world contribute to the podcasts. The site also offers lesson plans and useful links.

This weekly podcast provides an overview of news and happenings in science from that week. Pocasts are available by download through iTunes or through streaming. TWIS also promotes a book of the month and shares science videos.

The National Academies Press presents this podcast, which are 10-minute biweekly episodes that focus on the work that the academy is doing. Issues cover science, engineering, and medicine, and key findings and recommendations are presented.

The BBC, PRI, and WGBH offer these podcasts with “global perspectives for an American audience.” The weekly podcasts discuss scientific news, and subscription is available through iTunes, RSS, or e-mail. Some recent podcasts discussed biofuels, lead recycling, and gene therapy.

Dr. Campbell, an experienced emergency physician, hosts this podcast about discoveries in neuroscience. Podcasts aim to reach a general audience, and Dr. Campbell “believes that understanding how the brain works gives us insight into what makes us human.” Some recent podcasts cover pop psychology myths, glial cells, and alzheimer’s disease.

Here you’ll find “science radio and naked science podcasts.” Some recent podcasts include “Where does phlegm come from?” “Cosmic Climate Change,” and “AIDS to conquering HIV.” You can subscribe to or download podcasts, and receive a transcript of them. In addition to the podcasts, the site also offers articles, experiments, kitchen science, and much more.

You can choose from a weekly or a daily update and can subscribe via iTunes or other podcasters or e-mail. The weekly edition premiers each Friday and is about five to 10 minutes, while the daily update is a one-minute “morsel of science.” Podcasts cover the latest discoveries in science, technology and medicine.

Podcasts discuss all topics related to astronomy, and interviews with researchers in the field are often featured. Podcasts can be streamed or downloaded. The site also includes a blog and cool Slacker Astronomy merchandise.

Microbe World offers a number of podcast channels, including This Week in Virology, The Podcast for Microbe Lovers, Mundos de los Microbios, Meet the Scientist, and This Week in Parasitism. Each has different subscription options and parameters, but they all offer a fascinating look into different aspects of the world of microbes.

The American Chemistry Society presents this podcast, which attempts to identify the “most pressing sustainability challenges, and explore the solutions emerging from chemistry.” Podcasts are available by subscription from iTunes and RSS. Listeners can also download complete transcripts.

This weekly show is broadcast on radio stations throughout the country and is available as a podcast. The shows cover recent events in science and technology and discuss how they impact daily life. Each show also includes an interview with a leading scientist, researcher or industrialist.

Two high-school teachers produce this blog, which focuses on science for the classroom. Each week, the hosts discuss science news and science education, and they interview leading researchers and experts in the field. There is also a companion blog.

Podcasts cover a wide range of issues, including environmental issues, medical research and breakthroughs, nanotechnology, space exploration, robotics, computer science and science education. Users can search podcasts by category and can download episodes of interest. There are also numerous resources on the site for researchers and educators.

Sometimes science has to find truth by determining what isn’t true. This podcast takes a critical look at pseudoscience such as the paranormal, UFO reports, astronomy and more. Complete show archives are available since the show’s inception. There is also a forum, extensive show notes, and more.

These daily two-minutes vignettes are available as audio and video podcasts that answer questions such as “What do bicycles, footballs, and space shuttles have in common? Can you really learn while you are asleep? Why do some birds hop and others walk?” Users can listen to, download, or subscribe to the podcasts, and archives are available back to 2003.

16. Science Snaps

This partnership project trained a number of Scottish scientists to produce science podcasts, which are available here. The hope is to give scientists a place to talk about the work they are doing that has not yet made it into the mainstream media or news outlets. Podcasts are available by subscription.

These podcasts take a look at scientific issues with a skeptical eye. Some recent discussions consider evolution denial, magnetic feet, the Man in the Moon, and much more. Episodes can be streamed or downloaded.

This podcast explores issues and developments in biotechnology through discussions with leading scientists and researchers. Shows are available on YouTube, as well as iTunes. The site also hosts past shows, transcripts, and a show wiki.

The planets, space exploration, constellation, space history, and more are explored in this weekly podcast. An extensive archive of shows is available, and users can browse shows by topic. Podcasts are available to stream or download.

20. Absolute Science

This weekly podcast “digests the best stories of the week and highlights the science that makes these stories tick.” Some recent podcasts have included “Sex in Space,” “The Language of God,” and “Video Games: The Next Drug for Cancer?” Each podcast includes show notes or a transcript (or partial transcript), and users can download or subscribe to podcasts.